Author Topic: 1991 318is: does it have potential? (Read 9663 times)

gravyface · « **on:** October 19, 2008, 05:40:56 PM »

First of all, hello to everyone from Canada. I'm new to the forums (and to BMWs in general) but have been doing a lot of research and have settled on a '91 318is as my "must have" toy (cleverly disguised as a daily for me while the wife gets my '02 VW GTI)

Here's the ad:
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-BMW-BMW-E30-1991-318IS-serious-inquiries-only-certified-condition-W0QQAdIdZ81641195

It looks a bit rough -- and obviously the owner knows a bit about the car/e30s (and may even be a member?) -- but I'd like to know your thoughts on it.
How much would replacement door/rocker panels be? It would be a daily beater for me but I would be willing to put some money into it or just drive it till the end if not worth it. I've asked for more details (seller sounds annoyed with tire-kickers) and will post them up here as I get them.

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2008, 08:41:08 PM »

hey fellow canadian
the 318is is a fun car and the one you're looking at would make a great winter beater thats for sure.
the interior of that car is so nice, best i've ever been in.
i keep reparing my old one so i can sit in it again and again. if it wasnt for those leather sports seats, the car would have died long time ago
the car's at a fair price too

dark_islight · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2008, 04:49:53 PM »

Welcome to the forum. Check my "rust repair" thread just so you know where to look for trouble spots.

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6534

If it dosen't look too bad buy it! Its very dependable for the most part.

She loved E · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2008, 06:49:46 PM »

I defected from VWs too... and never looked back

.

The 318is is a great car, I love mine. I would recommend that you not fall in love with the first one you see, though. I inquired about several cars for over a year before I bought one. The one I ended up buying was by far the best deal (ie I never would have found it if I settled for the first one).

IMO the one you posted looks like it needs more work than its worth. Just getting the body panels back to factory color will cost a lot to do right. More importantly, check mechanicals and repair/service records. If they are incomplete or there are a lot of problems, remember that you have the cash and therefore hold the cards. Haggle if you think it's worth it... walk if its not.

Good luck!!

JP 91iS · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2008, 09:17:58 PM »

Quote from: She loved E;58982

The 318is is a great car, I love mine. I would recommend that you not fall in love with the first one you see, though. I inquired about several cars for over a year before I bought one. The one I ended up buying was by far the best deal (ie I never would have found it if I settled for the first one).

Good advice. You're pretty much guaranteed to love the car, so pick one that gives you a nice starting point. This one is at a good price, but you can pay a little more to get one in better condition - which would be more cost effective long-term. Check the service records for major engine jobs that may have already been done (like the profile gasket).

If you really just want a winter beater E30 to try out, look to spend more in the $400-$800 range.

gravyface · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2008, 10:28:02 PM »

Great advice so far guys.

I've had a decent convo back and forth with the owner and I'm getting a good feel from him about the car, but the one odd thing he's said is regarding the timing chain not being replaced at all and that it wouldn't need one unless the car has been seriously neglected. So far, here's what I've found out:

- head was done around 160k
- K&N cone filter
- no confirmation on profile gasket but engine has 354km on it sooo I'd thinking it should
- newish exhaust
- last certified 10/07
- "no holes, were patched"
- power steering pump "made some noise" but now no noise after waterpump was changed. "was probably the belt" he says.
- squeaky shock mounts

He has the oe wheels with good all-seasons on them so I'm thinking of getting him to toss those in as well and I'll put the winters on the bottlecaps.

I can hardly sleep, I'm so giddy! I'm trying not to reproduce the "mistakes" I made with my '90 Audi Coupe Quattro -- fell in love, sunk way too much cash into it, and sold it too soon.

Having said that, if I can get a year out of this for my daily, warts and all, *and* get a genuine BMW driving "experience" out of it, I'll be more than happy... my head tells me to wait for one that's been "done", pay a bit more, and then enjoy it worry-free, but these are rare cars and finding one that hasn't been molested is going to be tough.. but my gut says to grab it while the wife still approves

dark_islight · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2008, 03:47:38 AM »

Heads up mine started to eat the chain at 360,000km. The chain and guides are at least a good $600 in parts alone.

isinc · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2008, 09:02:35 AM »

Another fellow Canuck here,

I bumped into this seller on my search for a 318is. He seems likeable, but he is definitely a curb crawler. After I couldn't come to a price on another 318is he was selling, I found my 318is and was lucky enough to buy it before he showed up (seller said he was the next appt.) It was in much better shape than the one you posted, *actually* certified, and only $700.

I didn't get a sleazy vibe off of him, but be warned that he is almost certainly flipping e30's. Don't know if you are going to get the best value for money from him.

Good luck, I've been part of the m42 brotherhood for about 6 weeks now, and it is everything people say it is. You will love it. Mine's got a little less rust than dark_islight's

, and I was expecting to run it as a beater just like you, but now I'm hooked. When I first skimmed dark_islight's thread, I thought he was crazy, now I think he's completely rational :p

Iain

gravyface · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2008, 04:53:15 PM »

Awesome heads up, man. Thanks.

I think I need to suck it up and hold out for a better one that I'll be happier with. All day, driving around, I keep thinking about how I'd approach each corner in my 318is vs. my GTI, how soon I'd brake, momentum.. argh.. couldn't sleep again last night.

JP 91iS · « **Reply #9 on:** October 21, 2008, 09:41:17 PM »

Quote from: gravyface;59134

argh.. couldn't sleep again last night.

It has begun

gravyface · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2008, 06:12:17 PM »

Any of my fellow canuckians seen this one?
http://stcatharines.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-BMW-1991-BMW-318is-W0QQAdIdZ79182750

I've requested more pics and details...

isinc · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2008, 07:13:02 PM »

Any luck? For that price I'd hope it's squeaky clean.

I'm reliving the excitement of chasing down my 318is through this thread...

gravyface · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2008, 07:23:50 PM »

Nope. Nothing yet except "yes its still for sale. price is negotiable" but haven't heard back so I guess they're not in a hurry.

I found out today that this one was sold in January to some kid in Mississauga who slammed it, put in a turbo, and promptly got drunk and wrapped it around a light post:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3622038

ClodKing · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2008, 11:26:19 AM »

Hey man. Find anything yet?

I totally scooped up the first car I saw, and I regret it. Falling in love with a car is bad move... I am spending too much money on my car to make it driveable.

But the other thing is, if you buy a car that needs work, you can justify mods, and upgrades.

I still wish I would've shopped around first.

gravyface · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2008, 06:43:13 PM »

Nope, I passed on the first one up there; haven't heard back from the other red one in St. Catherines. I'm still looking though. I put up a WTB on vwvortex and there's a REALLY nice one in Michigan for sale but importing sounds like a major PITA. There's also a beautiful one in BC; my car buddy who lives out there said he'd drive it out to me if I bought him a flight home... rust-free BC car would be ideal.